BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Please , I am confused on the proper bedding for 'Buddy" . I have been using the Aspen Snake bedding however I was told I should be using mulch (Keepers Choice) by the store we purchased Buddy , the reason was to keep the tank humid . However upon reading the caresheet only Aspen is not harmful to the Lizard . The Aspen is also quite dusty in comparison to the mulch (red cypress), PLEASE WHAT IS THE BEST BEDDING FOR THESE LIZARDS ? The Aspen seems easier to burrow but is it more harmful to the Lizard becuse of the dust ??? IM ZOOOOO CONFUUUZED

THANKS

Either would be perfectly fine.

Personally, the way I see it is that they burrow in the wild anyways so they'll end up getting dust up their noses and they'll sneeze it out. I used aspen with mine and he was fine with it but I had to take it out because there was too much dust in it for me and I have allergies and asthma. I use Carefresh, less dusty, easy to burrow in and it's made from recyled materials! As for the humidity, your viv doesn't need to be super super humid. In fact if your bts has a pool in his viv, that should keep the humidity right. Bts don't need a really humid enviroment. I would probably stick to the aspen as too much humidity can cause respiratory problems and mulch seems quite 'heavy' and will hold a lot of water. Suppose bif you can keep the mulch more on the dry side it might work out.

Thanks Brutha ! I was concerned the dust from the Aspen would bother Him (they DO sneeze alot ) was afraid the mulch would poison Him and the humidity would cause bacteria. I know these Lizards are a little different than most (part of the charm) Lots of opinons, I was confident I would get a decent answer here . Thanks again .

Actually I exclusively use Cypress mulch with my skinks. Never an issue due to moisture and they are able to easily burrow in it as well. If I remember correctly, BTS dont really burrow in the wild. Its more then find a crevice under a rock or log and will hide in there. They really dont dig their own burrow to hide in. Or they may hide under a bunch of leave litter or bark. Obviously I am have misunderstood and could be completely wrong. I hope others with experience finding while skinks will speak up.

I remember reading something like they burrow when there is nothing to hide under, or something.
I would used the cypress. The snake bedding usually (if not always) looks pointy and would probably agitate the eyes.

They aren't really diggers, not like varanids - so they generally take the easier route and go under a hide rather than digging, but if given enough substrate some really burrow quite a bit. If they have substrate and no snug hides then they will definitely burrow into it - if there are lots of hide options then some will chose those rather than burrowing. Either substrate would be fine.

Welcome to the forum!

I use a mixture of aspen and carefresh. Any issues I've had with humidy and shedding issues seems to be about the skink not the substrate. I just added a humid hide around shedding time for my skinks who needed it.